Cutting Bit Carrier for Cutting Bits

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a cutting bit carrier for hard rock mining applications. Usually, replacing worn cutting bits may take much effort and may be time consuming. The present cutting bit carrier may comprise a first carrier member including a first supporting portion configured to contact a cutting bit shank of a cutting bit for supporting the cutting bit, and a second carrier member including a second supporting portion configured to contact the cutting bit shank of the cutting bit for supporting the cutting bit. The second carrier member may be detachably mountable to the first carrier member.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to a cutting bit carrier for supporting cutting bits used in underground mining applications. The present disclosure further relates to a tool support for accommodating a plurality of cutting bit carriers, a cutting head provided with a plurality tool supports, and a method for mounting a cutting bit to a cutting bit carrier. The present disclosure further relates to cutting bits used in underground mining applications for extracting hard rock material.

BACKGROUND

In hard rock mining applications, it is common to use, for example, rock shearers for winning hard rock materials in a longwall, or to use, for instance, rock headers for generating a roadway in an underground mine. Both the rock shearer and the rock header may comprise at least one rotatable drum, which may be equipped with at least one cutting head being rotatable. The cutting head may be configured to be provided with a plurality of cutting bits which are in turn configured to engage the hard rock for extracting hard rock materials. The rotatable drum may be adjustable in height relative to a machine frame by a swivel arm.

The rotatable cutting head may include a cone-like shaped body having cutting bit carriers integrally formed with the body. Thus, known cutting heads may be manufactured as an integral unit, wherein worn cutting bits may be replaced by newly manufactured cutting bits. The cutting bits are rotatably and removably supported by cutting bit carriers attached to the cutting head.

A mineral cutter system is known from US 2009/0091177 A1 and comprises a pick box adapted to be secured, by welding, to a powered drum or disc and having a bore to receive a replaceable sleeve having a collar and also a circular section bore to receive a circular section shank of a replaceable mineral cutter pick. The bore of the pick box incorporates at least one flat, and the sleeve is provided with at least one external flat to engage the flat of the pick box, whereby the sleeve is non-rotatable with respect to the box.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,229,136 B2 discloses a compressible sleeve for fitting around the shank of a rotatable tool. The compressible sleeve has a cut out portion at the forward end thereof and is compressed to a diameter less than the inner diameter of the bore of a tool holder by an annular wear ring having a generally cylindrical central opening with a diameter larger than the diameter of the bore of the tool holder. When the shank of the tool is driven into the bore of the tool holder, the wear ring is forced forwardly along the sleeve until the projection of the wear ring falls between the cut out portions of the sleeve thereby allowing the sleeve to expand to the diameter of the bore of the tool holder.

Further, WO 2014/194978 A2 discloses a cutting head for hard rock mining applications. The cutting head comprises a base member having a rotational axis and a center bore extending along the rotational axis, a drive bushing disposed within the center bore and configured to transmit torque from a driving device to the base member, a plurality of tool supports concentrically disposed about the rotational axis at the base member in a releasable manner, and a plurality of cutting bit carriers attached to each of the plurality of tool supports. When at least one of the plurality of cutting bits is worn, the tool support including the worn cutting bits is replaced by a new tool support including new cutting bits.

Further, WO 2014/194979 A2 discloses a replaceable tool support configured to be mounted to a cutting head used in hard rock mining applications. The disclosed tool support comprises an annular body, a plurality of cutting bit carriers disposed spaced apart from each other on a first end face side of the annular body, and a plurality of cutting bits. Each of the plurality of cutting bits is rotatably supported by one of the plurality of cutting bit carriers. When at least one of the plurality of cutting bits is worn, the tool support including the worn cutting bits may be replaced by another tool support including new cutting bits.

The present disclosure is directed, at least in part, to improving or overcoming one or more aspects of prior systems.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a cutting bit carrier for hard rock mining applications may comprise a first carrier member including a first supporting portion configured to contact a cutting bit shank of a cutting bit for supporting the cutting bit, and a second carrier member including a second supporting portion configured to contact the cutting bit shank of the cutting bit for supporting the cutting bit. The second carrier member may be detachably mountable to the first carrier member.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a tool support configured to be mounted to a cutting head used in hard rock mining applications may comprise an annular body, and a plurality of cutting bit carriers according to the present disclosure. At least one of the first carrier member and the second carrier member may be integrally formed with the annular body. The tool support according to the present disclosure may further comprise a plurality of cutting bits rotatably supported by an associated one of the plurality of cutting bit carriers.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a cutting head used in hard rock mining applications may comprise a base member having a rotational axis and including a plurality of tool support receiving portions extending around the rotational axis, and a plurality of tool supports according to the present disclosure. Each of the plurality of tool supports may be concentrically disposed about the rotational axis at an associated tool support receiving portion in a releasable manner The first carrier member may be integrally formed with one of the plurality of tool supports, and the second carrier member may be integrally formed with an adjacent tool support.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for mounting a cutting bit to a cutting bit carrier provided at a cutting head used in hard rock mining applications is disclosed. The cutting bit may include a cutting bit axis extending from a cutting bit head to a cutting bit end flange via a cutting bit shank. The method according to the present disclosure may comprise the step of disposing the cutting bit shank at a first supporting portion provided at a first carrier member along a direction extending substantially perpendicular with respect to the cutting bit axis. The first supporting portion may be configured to at least partially contact the cutting bit shank for at least partially supporting the same. The method according to the present disclosure may further comprise the step of detachably mounting a second carrier member to the first carrier member. The second carrier member may include a second supporting portion configured to at least partially contact the cutting bit shank for at least partially supporting the same.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a cutting bit configured to be replaceable mounted to a cutting bit carrier provided at a cutting head used in hard rock mining applications is disclosed. The cutting bit according to the present disclosure may comprise a cone-like cutting bit head having a tip portion and a head base portion opposite to the tip portion. The cutting bit head may be configured to extract hard rock mining material. The cutting bit may further comprise a substantially cylindrical cutting bit shank having a first end portion connected to the head base portion and a second end portion. The cutting bit shank may have a first diameter. The cutting bit may further comprise a substantially cylindrical cutting bit end flange connected to the second end portion of the cutting bit shank and having a second diameter substantially greater than the first diameter. The second diameter may be in a range from about 120% to about 200% of the first diameter. Additionally or alternatively, the head base portion may have a third diameter greater than the first diameter. The third diameter may be preferably in a range from about 120% to about 200% of the first diameter.

Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a modular cutting head used in hard rock mining applications;

FIG. 2 illustrates an explosion view of an exemplary disclosed cutting bit carrier with a first cutting bit carrier and a second cutting bit carrier detached from one another;

FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view through the first carrier member taken along line III-III of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the second carrier member of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary disclosed cutting bit mountable to the cutting bit carrier of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 illustrates the cutting bit carrier of FIG. 2 in an assembled state with the cutting bit of FIG. 5 mounted to the cutting bit carrier;

FIG. 7 illustrates a sectional view of the cutting bit carrier taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view through a further exemplary disclosed cutting bit carrier according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 illustrates a sectional view through the cutting bit carrier of FIG. 8 taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 illustrates a partial cut view of a modular cutting head provided with a plurality of further exemplary disclosed cutting bit carriers;

FIG. 11 illustrates a partial cut view of a modular cutting head provided with a plurality of further exemplary disclosed cutting bit carriers;

FIG. 12 illustrates a partial cut view of a further modular cutting head provided with a plurality of exemplary disclosed tool supports;

FIG. 13 illustrates a partial cut view of a further modular cutting head provided with a plurality of further exemplary disclosed tool supports; and

FIG. 14 illustrates a sectional view of an exemplary disclosed cutting bit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The exemplary embodiments described therein and illustrated in the drawings are intended to teach the principles of the present disclosure, enabling those of ordinary skill in the art to implement and use the present disclosure in many different environments and for many different applications. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments are not intended to be, and should not be considered as, a limiting description of the scope of patent protection. Rather, the scope of patent protection shall be defined by the appended claims.

The present disclosure may be based at least in part on the realization that providing a two-piece cutting bit carrier may support in facilitating replacement of worn cutting bits. Particularly, a worn cutting bit may be replaced by a new cutting bit by disassembling the associated two-piece cutting bit carriers without the need of a specific tool.

The present disclosure may be further based in part on the realization that, during operation of a cutting head used in hard rock mining applications, the carrier members of the exemplary disclosed cutting bit carriers may maintain its attachment to one another due to at least partially self-retention. Specifically, operational forces may be used to at least partially clamp the carrier members to one another for ensuring proper assembly of the cutting bit carrier and proper support of the associated cutting bit.

In the following, detailed features of exemplary disclosed cutting bit carriers, tool supports, and cutting bits are described with respect to the appended drawings. Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a cutting head 10 having a rotational axis 12 is illustrated. The cutting head 10 includes a base member 20, a plurality of tool supports 40, a plurality of cutting bit carriers 100 attached to the plurality of tool supports 40, and a plurality of cutting bits 200. Each of the plurality of cutting bits 200 may be rotatably supported by an associated one of the plurality of cutting bit carriers 100 attached to an associated tool support 40. The tool supports 40 are mounted to tool support receiving portions provided at the base member 20, respectively.

In FIG. 1 the cutting head 10 is shown with a plurality of tool supports 40, namely a first tool support 41, a second tool support 42, a third tool support 43, and a fourth tool support 44. Each of the tool supports 41, 42, 43, 44 has an annular shape and is concentrically disposed at the base member 20 with respect to the rotational axis 12. In particular, each of the plurality of annular tool supports 40 is provided with a different outer diameter and includes an outer chamfer 46 where the plurality of cutting bit carriers 100 are attached.

The base member 20 may further include a center bore 30 extending through the base member 20 along the rotational axis 12 (see also FIG. 2). The center bore 30 is configured to receive a drive bushing (not explicitly shown in the drawings) receiving torque from a driving unit (not explicitly shown in the drawings) and transmitting the torque to the base member 20 and, thus, to the plurality of tool supports 40 and the plurality of cutting bits 200 configured to engage the rock.

For instance, the cutting head 10 may be substantially configured as set out in WO 2014/194978 A2 and WO 2014/194979 A2, which are herein incorporated by reference with respect to the configurations of the base members, the associated annular tool supports, and its specific assembly to the base members.

Each of the plurality of cutting bit carriers 100 is, as illustrated in FIG. 1, attached to the plurality of tool supports 40 by means of, for example, welding, soldering, glueing, or any other attaching means known in the art. Particularly, as indicated in FIG. 1, each of the plurality of cutting bit carriers 100 is a two-piece cutting bit carrier 100 including a first carrier member 110 and a second carrier member 120 detachably mounted to one another, wherein the first carrier member 110 is attached to an associated tool support 40 by means of, for instance, welding, soldering, glueing, or any other attaching means known in the art. In some further embodiments, the first carrier member 110 may be integrally formed with the associated tool support 40, such as, for instance, by molding.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, 6, and 7, an exemplary disclosed carrier member 100 including the first carrier member 110 and the second carrier member 120 is illustrated. The first carrier member 110 includes a mounting portion 112 for mounting the first carrier member 110 to the associated tool support 40, and a first supporting portion 114 configured to contact a cutting bit shank 204 of a cutting bit 200 (see FIG. 5) for supporting the cutting bit 200, which will be described in greater detail below.

The first supporting portion 114 includes a shape at least partially corresponding to and matching with an outer shape of the cutting bit shank 204 and extends along a first carrier axis 101. The first supporting portion 114 is provided as a recess for accommodating the cutting bit shank 204. The first carrier member 110 further includes a reception portion 116 formed as a further recess for at least partially receiving the second carrier member 120 and for engaging the second carrier member 120. Particularly, the first supporting portion 114 is provided in said recess forming the reception portion 116.

The reception portion 116 according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, 6, and 7 includes a plurality of first protrusions 118 at least partially protruding into the corresponding recess. For example, the first protrusions 118 substantially protrude in a radially inward direction with respect to the first carrier axis 101. Each of the first protrusions 118 includes a first inclined lateral surface 119, for example, a first inclined lower lateral surface (see especially FIG. 3).

The second carrier member 120 includes a second supporting portion 124 including a shape at least partially corresponding to and matching with the outer shape of the cutting bit shank 204. The second supporting portion 124 is provided as a recess for accommodating the cutting bit shank 204. The second supporting portion 124 substantially extends along a second carrier axis 103.

In the exemplary disclosed embodiment of FIGS. 2 to 4, 6, and 7 the first supporting portion 114 and the second supporting portion 124 each have a semicircular cross-section. Thus, after assembling, the first supporting portion 114 and the second supporting portion 124 together form a substantially circular cutting bit supporting portion corresponding to the circular cross-section of the associated cutting bit shank 204 for rotatably supporting the cutting bit 200.

In an assembled state of the first carrier member 110 and the second carrier member 120, the first carrier axis 101 and the second carrier axis 103 are configured to coincide, i.e. to be coaxial to one another. Thus, the first supporting portion 114 and the second supporting portion 124 together form a cutting bit supporting portion for safely supporting an associated cutting bit 200, particularly, the cutting bit shank 204 of the associated cutting bit 200.

The first supporting portion 114 is configured to contact at least a portion of a circumference of the cutting bit shank 204, and the second supporting portion 124 is configured to contact at least partly a remaining portion of the circumference of the cutting bit shank 204. That is at least one interface between the first carrier member 110 and the second carrier member 120 is parallel to the first carrier axis 101 and the second carrier axis 103 as well as parallel to the cutting bit axis 201. That is a partitioning plane between the first carrier member 110 and the second carrier member 120 is parallel to the first carrier axis 101 and the second carrier axis 103 as well as parallel to the cutting bit axis 201

In the embodiments shown in the drawings, the first supporting portion 114 and the second supporting portion 124 are configured to contact the entire cutting bit shank 204 in circumferential direction. However, in further embodiments, the first supporting portion 114 and the second supporting portion 124 are configured to contact only partially the cutting bit shank 204 in circumferential direction.

In FIGS. 2 to 4, the first supporting portion 114 and the second supporting portion 124 each form shell elements for supporting the cutting bit shank 204 of an associated cutting bit 200.

As illustrated, the second carrier member 120 includes a mounting portion 126 configured to be received by and engage the reception portion 116. In particular, the mounting portion 126 is formed as a projection to be received by and at least partially inserted into the reception portion 116. The mounting portion 126 includes a plurality of second protrusions 128 configured to protrude in a radially outward direction with respect to the second carrier axis 103. Each of the second protrusions 128 includes a second inclined lateral surface 129, for example, a second inclined upper lateral surface 129 (see FIG. 4). The second inclined lateral surfaces 129 are configured to be substantially parallel to the first inclined lateral surfaces 119.

When mounting the first carrier member 110 and the second carrier member 120 to one another, the second carrier member 120 is moved along the dashed arrows 102 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). During said movement along the dashed arrows 102, each of the second protrusions 128 passes an associated first protrusion 118 until the first carrier axis 101 coincides with the second carrier axis 103, i.e. the reception portion 116 has at least partially received the mounting portion 126. Then, the second carrier member 120 is moved along the first carrier axis 101 and the second carrier axis 103.

During movement of the second carrier member 120 along the first carrier axis 101 and the second carrier axis 103, the first protrusions 118 and the second protrusions 128 are shifted one below the other, such that the second carrier member 120 is locked in a direction perpendicular to the first carrier axis 101 and the second carrier axis 103. Further, during movement of the second carrier member 120 along the first carrier axis 101 and the second carrier axis 103, the first inclined lateral surface 119 and the second inclined lateral surface 129 get in contact with one another, thereby restricting further axial movement of the first carrier member 110 relative to the second carrier member 120. In such state, the second carrier member 120 is mounted to the first carrier member 110.

As shown, the first protrusions 118 substantially protrude in a radially inward direction with respect to the first carrier axis 101, and the second protrusions 128 substantially protrude in a radially outward direction with respect to the second carrier axis 103. Thus, the first protrusions 118 and the second protrusions 128 at least partially engaging each other form at least partially a kind of a dovetail guide.

It is explicitly stated that the directions of projection of the first protrusions 118 and the second protrusions 128 may be vice versa, respectively, i.e. the first protrusions 118 may protrude in a radially outward direction with respect to the first carrier axis 101, and the second protrusions 128 may protrude in a radially inward direction with respect to the second carrier axis 103. In such embodiments, the mounting portion 126 may be configured as the reception portion 116, and the reception portion 116 may be configured as the mounting portion 126.

Further, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, 6, and 7, the first carrier member 110 includes in total three first protrusions 118 and the second carrier member 120 includes in total three second protrusions 128. However, the number of protrusions is not limited to three, such that there may be more or less than three first and second protrusions 118, 128 provided that engage one another, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 5, an exemplary disclosed cutting bit 200 replaceable mountable to the cutting bit carrier 100 of, for example, FIGS. 2 to 4, 6, and 7 is illustrated. The cutting bit 200 extends along the cutting bit axis 201 and includes a cone-like cutting bit head 202, the cutting bit shank 204 configured to be supported by the cutting bit carrier 100, and a cutting bit flange 206.

The cutting bit head 202 includes a tip portion 203 made of, for example, hardened material, and a head base portion 205. The cutting bit shank 204 is substantially cylindrical and has a first end portion 207 connected to the head base portion 205 and a second end portion 209 opposite the first end portion 207. The cutting bit flange 206 is connected to the second end portion 209 of the cutting bit shank 204.

The cylindrical cutting bit shank 204 has a first diameter D1, the cutting bit flange 206 has a second diameter D2, and the head base portion 205 of the cone-like cutting bit head 202 has a third diameter D3. As shown, the second diameter D2 is substantially greater than the first diameter D1. In particular, the second diameter D2 may be in a range from about 120% to about 200% of the first diameter D1.

As further illustrated, the third diameter D3 is substantially greater than the first diameter D1. In particular, the third diameter D3 may be in a range from about 120% to about 250% of the first diameter D1, and/or in a range from about 80% to about 150% of the second diameter D2. For example, the first diameter D1 may be in a range from about 15 mm to about 30 mm, the second diameter D2 may be in a range from about 30 mm to about 50 mm, and the third diameter D3 may be in a range from about 30 mm to about 40 mm.

Referring to FIG. 6, the cutting bit carrier 100 supporting the cutting bit 200 of FIG. 5 is depicted. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the cutting bit head 202 protrudes out of cutting bit carrier 100 at a first side, wherein at least a portion of the cutting bit shank 204 together with the cutting bit flange 206 protrudes out of the cutting bit carrier 100 and a second side opposite to the first side. Hence, a majority portion of the cutting bit shank 204 is supported by the cutting bit carrier 100, particularly by the first carrier member 110 and the second carrier member 120.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cut view through the cutting bit carrier 100 and the cutting bit 200 taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 7, in an assembled state of the cutting bit carrier 100, each of the first inclined lateral surfaces 119 of the first protrusions 118 are in contact with an associated second inclined lateral surface 129 of the second protrusions 128. In particular, the first inclined lateral surfaces 119 and the second inclined lateral surfaces 129 each have an inclination, such that movement of the second carrier member 120 along the second carrier axis 103 in a direction away from the cutting bit head 202 is restricted, but in a direction towards the cutting bit head 202, the second carrier member 120 is freely movably relative to the first carrier member 110.

During operation of the cutting bit 200, axial forces indicated by an arrow 210 in FIG. 7 may occur. The axial forces 210 affect a self-locking feature of the second carrier member 120 with respect to the first carrier member 110, as the head base portion 205 of the cutting bit head 202 may at least partially push against the second carrier member 120 thereby pushing the second inclined lateral surfaces 129 against the first inclined lateral surfaces 119, respectively.

The length of the cutting bit shank 204 is configured to allow proper assembly of the cutting bit carrier 100. Thus, an excessive length 220 (see FIG. 7), which protrudes out of the cutting bit carrier 100 at the second side, is at least partially greater than an engagement width of the first protrusions 118 and the second protrusions 128 along direction of the first carrier axis 101 and the second carrier axis 103, respectively. The engagement width is defined by the width along the first carrier axis where a first inclined lateral surface 119 is in contact with an associated second inclined lateral surface 129. Thus, movement of the second carrier member 120 along the dashed arrows 102 for mounting to the first carrier member 110 is enabled in both axial directions.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, a further exemplary disclosed two-piece cutting bit carrier 100 supporting a cutting bit 200 is illustrated. As shown, the cutting bit carrier 100 of FIGS. 8 and 9 includes the first carrier member 110 and the second carrier member 120 detachably mounted to the first carrier member 110, but without the first protrusions 118 and the second protrusions 128 as described with respect to FIGS. 2 to 4 and 6 to 7. Therefore, same elements are denoted with same reference signs.

Instead of the first and second protrusions 118, 128, the mounting portion 126 of the second carrier member 120 is a projection received by the reception portion 116 formed as a corresponding recess. The first supporting portion 114 is provided in said recess forming the reception portion 116, and the second supporting portion 124 is provided in said projection forming the mounting portion 126.

In order to prevent the first carrier member 110 and the second carrier member 120 from detaching from one another, a locking element 130 is provided. Specifically, the locking element 130 as shown in FIG. 9 is a C-shaped element having a first elongated portion 132 extending into and through a through hole 117 formed in the first carrier member 110. The locking element 130 further includes a second elongated portion 134 extending into and through a through hole 127 formed in the second carrier member 120. The first elongated portion 132 and the second elongated portion 134 are connected to one another via an intermediate portion 136.

The first through hole 117 and the second through hole 127 substantially extend perpendicular with respect to the first carrier axis 101, the second carrier axis 102, and the cutting bit axis 201, respectively, wherein all three axes substantially coincident in an assembled state of the carrier member 100 with a mounted cutting bit 200. In order to prevent the locking element 130 from detaching from the first carrier member 110 and the second carrier member 120, the first elongated portion 132 projecting out of the first through hole 117 and the second elongated portion 134 projecting out of the second through hole may each be locked in said protruding state by, for example, plastically deformation, such as bending by 90°.

In some further embodiments, the locking element 130 may be locked relative to the first and second carrier members 110, 120 by, for example, frictional locking or by providing a bushing at the projecting ends of the first and second elongated portions 132, 134, respectively.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the cutting bit carrier 100 includes two locking elements 130 spaced apart one another. However, it should be noted that cutting bit carriers 100 according to further embodiments may include only one or more than two locking elements 130.

During assembly of the cutting bit carrier 100 of FIGS. 8 and 9, and after positioning the cutting bit 200 at the first supporting portion 114 of the first carrier member 110, the second carrier member 120 is moved perpendicularly with respect to the cutting bit axis 201, such that the mounting portion 126 is at least partially received by the reception portion 116 and such that the first supporting portion 114 and the second supporting portion 124 together form the cutting bit supporting portion for the cutting bit shank 204. Thus, in comparison with the cutting bit carrier 100 of FIGS. 2 to 4, no axial movement of the second carrier member 120 relative to the first carrier member 110 along the cutting bit axis 201 is necessary. Instead, for securing the first carrier member 110 and the second carrier member 120 to one another, the locking element(s) 130 is (are) inserted into the first and second through holes 117, 127, respectively.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the length of the cutting bit shank 204 may correspond to the lengths of the first supporting portion 114 and the second supporting portion 124, such that no excessive length 220 (see FIG. 7) of the cutting bit shank 204 is necessary.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a partial cut view of a cutting head 10 provided with a plurality of tool supports 40 is shown. As can be seen in FIG. 10, the first carrier member 110 is integrally formed with an associated tool support 40. In such embodiment, the second carrier member 120 is similarly designed as the second carrier member 120 of FIGS. 8 and 9. In FIG. 10, the second carrier member 120 includes an attachment member 125 configured to be detachably mounted to the associated tool support 40 by, for instance, bolting, glueing, pinning etc. In some further embodiments, the attachment member 125 may be detachably mounted to the associated tool support 40 by, for example, providing a bayonet.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, it is possible to replace worn cutting bits 200 independently from one another. In particular, worn cutting bits 200 of one of the tool supports 40 can be replaced by a new cutting bit 200 independently from one another by detaching the second carrier member 120 and replacing the worn cutting bit 200 with a new one. Hence, detaching of the overlying tool supports 40 is not necessary.

With respect to FIG. 11, a further embodiment of a cutting bit carrier 100 and annular tool supports 40 is illustrated. As shown, the first carrier member 110 is integrally formed with an associated tool support 42, wherein the second carrier member 120 is integrally formed with the tool support 41 above the tool support 42. That is, for instance, the attachment member 125 of the second carrier member 120 of FIG. 10 is integrally formed with the tool support 41 in FIG. 11.

During assembly, at first the tool support 42 is placed about the base member 20 (not shown in FIG. 11). Then, cutting bits 200 are positioned at associated first supporting portions 124 of the first carrier members 110 integrally formed with the tool support 42. Subsequently, the tool support 41 is placed about the base member 20 above the tool support 42 at the base member 20. During said placement of the tool support 41, the second supporting portions 124 of the second carrier members 120 integrally formed with the tool support 41 get in contact with the associated cutting bits 200, respectively, for supporting the cutting bit shanks 204. In said state, the cutting bits 200 are safely supported by two adjacent tool supports 41, 42.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 11, each of the plurality of cutting bits 200 has a substantially horizontal orientation with respect to the rotational axis 12, i.e. the cutting bit axes 201 of the cutting bits 200 lie in a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis 12. However, it should be noted that the cutting bit axes 201 may have an inclination with respect a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis 12 (as shown, for example, in FIGS. 12 and 13).

With respect to FIGS. 12 and 13, a further alternative for supporting cutting bits 200 at a cutting head 10 is illustrated in greater detail. In particular, for the sake of simplicity, the cutting head 10 of FIGS. 12 and 13 is illustrated with two annular tool supports 41, 42, only. However, it should be noted that the cutting head 10 may include more than two tool supports 41, 42 each supporting a plurality of cutting bits 200.

Referring to FIG. 12, a partial cut view through the cutting head 10 is shown. The cutting head 10 includes two tool supports 41, 42 each having an annular body 90 provided with different outer diameters and mounted one above the other, thereby forming the substantially cone-like cutting head 10. Each of the annular tool supports 41, 42 extends about the rotational axis 12.

Each annular body 90 has a first axial end face 95 and a second axial end face 97 opposite the first axial end face 95. Each annular body 90 further includes a plurality of supporting holes 92 each extending along a supporting hole axis through the annular body 90 from the first axial end face 95 to the second axial end face 97. The supporting holes 92 are configured to support cutting bits 200, respectively, in particular the cutting bit shanks 204 of the cutting bits 200. The supporting holes 92 are disposed spaced apart from one another about the rotational axis 12.

The cutting bits 200 of FIG. 12 differ from the cutting bits 200 of FIG. 5 in that the third diameter D3 of the head base portion 205 of the cutting head 202 is equal to the first diameter D1 of the cutting bit shank 204. That is the cutting bit shank 204 smoothly transitions into the cutting bit head 202.

The annular body 90 of the tool support 42, namely the tool support below the tool support 41, includes a plurality of supporting projections 94 configured to substantially protrude from the first axial end face 95 towards the overlying tool support 41. The supporting projections 94 are configured to support associated cutting bit flanges 206 of the cutting bits 200 supported by the supporting holes 92. Each of the supporting protrusions 94 has a supporting surface 96 configured to contact and support an end face of an associated cutting bit flange 206. Each of the plurality of supporting surfaces 96 are planar for contacting and abutting an associated planar end face of an associated cutting bit flange 206. Preferably, the supporting surfaces 96 are perpendicular with respect to the cutting bit axis 201 along which the cutting bits 200 substantially extend.

As further illustrated in FIG. 12, the tool support 41 includes a supporting recess 98 formed in the second axial end face 97 and configured to at least partially receive and support an associated cutting bit flange 206. Thus, each cutting bit 200 is partially supported by the tool support 41 and partially supported by the tool support 42 disposed below the tool support 41.

The supporting hole 92 includes a shape substantially corresponding to the outer shape of the associated cutting bit shank 204. As shown in FIG. 12, the cutting bit flange 206 includes the second diameter D2 substantially greater than the first diameter D1 of the cutting bit shank 204.

The supporting protrusions 94 are disposed spaced apart one another about the rotational axis 12. Particularly, the supporting protrusions are disposed on a first circle about the rotational axis 12 with a first radius. The supporting holes 92 are disposed on a second circle about the rotational axis with a second radius. As indicated in FIG. 12, the first radius is smaller than the second radius (see especially tool support 42 in FIG. 12).

During assembly, at first the tool support 42 is placed about the base member 20 (not shown in FIG. 11). Then, cutting bits 200 are positioned at associated supporting protrusions 94, such that the end faces of the cutting bit flanges 206 are in contact with the supporting surfaces 96, respectively. Subsequently, the tool support 41 is placed about the base member 20 above the tool support 42, such that the cutting bit heads 202 pass through the supporting holes 92, respectively, and that the cutting bit shanks 204 are supported by and positioned within the supporting holes 92, respectively. After placement of the tool support 41 above the tool support 42, the cutting bit flanges 206 are at least partially positioned within the supporting recesses 98, respectively. In said state, the cutting bits 200 are safely supported by two adjacent tool supports 41, 42.

Due to the second diameter D3 of the cutting bit flange 206 that is greater than the first diameter D1 of the cutting bit shank 204 and, hence, greater than the diameter of the supporting hole 94, the cutting bits 200 are prevented from falling out of its supported position. As indicated, the supporting holes 92 and the supporting recesses 98 are configured to have dimensions to allow a rotatably support of the cutting bits 200.

In the embodiment of FIG. 12, each of the annular tool supports 41, 42 incorporate the functions of the cutting bit carriers. Thus, no separate cutting bit carriers are necessary.

Referring now to FIG. 13, a cutting head 10 provided with a further embodiment of exemplary disclosed tool supports 41, 42 is shown. The tool support 41 of FIG. 13 differs from the tool support 41 of FIG. 12 in that additional supporting bushings 91 are positioned and detachably mounted to mounting holes 93 provided in the tool support 41, respectively. The supporting bushings 91 include the supporting holes 92 for supporting the cutting bit shanks 204, respectively.

A diameter of the mounting holes 93 is adapted to allow the entire cutting bit 200 to be mountable to the respective tool support 41 even when the tool supports 41, 42 are assembled to one another. The supporting bushings 91 are detachably mounted to the mounting holes 93 via, for instance, bolting, screwing, glueing, pressing, pinning etc.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, it is possible to replace worn cutting bits 200 independently from one another, even in an assembled state of the cutting head 10. In particular, worn cutting bits 200 of one of the tool supports 41, 42 can be replaced by a new cutting bit 200 independently from one another by detaching the associated supporting bushing 91 and replacing the worn cutting bit 200 with a new one.

In FIGS. 12 and 13, each of the plurality of cutting bits 200 has a specific orientation with respect to the rotational axis 12, i.e. the cutting bit axes 201 of the cutting bits 200 obliquely extend with respect to a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis 12. The degree of inclination of the cutting bit axes 201 may be selected as desired. Preferably, the cutting bit axes 201 may each be provided in a skew manner with respect to the rotational axis 12.

With respect to FIG. 14, an alternative embodiment of a cutting bit 300 mounted to, for example, an annular tool support 40 (see FIG. 1) is illustrated. However, in some embodiments, the cutting bit 300 may be mountable to any known cutting head that includes a configuration different to the one as shown in FIG. 1. For example, the cutting bit 300 is replaceable mountable to a non-modular cutting head.

As shown in FIG. 14, the cutting bit 300 comprises a main body 302 extending along a cutting bit axis 301. The main body 302 includes a base portion 304, a tip end portion 306, and a cone-like intermediate portion 305 connecting the base portion 104 and the tip end portion 306 to one another. A substantially cylindrical supporting recess 308 is formed in an end face of the base portion 304 and extends along the cutting bit axis 301 at least partially into the main body 302.

A substantially cylindrical cutting bit tip mounting recess 309 is formed in an end face of the tip end portion 306 and extends along the cutting bit axis 301 at least partially into the main body 302. Both the supporting recess 308 and the mounting recess 309 may be, for example, drilled or milled bores.

The cutting bit tip mounting recess 309 is configured to accommodate a hardened cutting bit tip element 303 via, for instance, pressure fit. In some embodiments, the cutting bit tip element 303 may be mounted to the mounting recess 309 via screwing, gluing, welding, soldering, or any other fixing means known in the art for mounting a hardened cutting bit tip element 303 to the mounting recess 309.

The cutting bit 300 is mountable to, for example, one of the tool supports 40 as shown in FIG. 1. Particularly, an associated tool support 40 includes a substantially cylindrical supporting protrusion 48 corresponding to and matching with the supporting recess 308. As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 14, the cylindrical supporting protrusion 48 may be integrally formed with the associated tool support 40. However, in further embodiments, the supporting protrusion 48 may be mounted to the associated tool support 40 via, for example, glueing, bolting, screwing, welding, soldering, pinning, or any other known attaching means.

The main body 302 can be put onto or at least partially slipped over the associated supporting protrusion 48 and locked in an assembled state via, for example, a snap ring 310 provided between an inner wall of the supporting recess 309 and a lateral outer surface of the supporting protrusion 48. The snap ring 310 is configured to allow rotational movement of the main body 302 relative to the supporting protrusion 48 and to disallow axial movement of the main body 302 relative to the supporting protrusion 48.

In the assembled state shown in FIG. 14, the snap ring 310 is at least partially positioned in corresponding first and second grooves 312, 314 circumferentially extending about the cutting bit axis 301 and provided in the supporting portion 308 and in the supporting protrusion 48, respectively. In particular, the main body 302 includes a first groove 312 circumferentially extending about the inner wall of the supporting recess 308, and the supporting protrusion 48 includes a second groove 314 circumferentially extending about the lateral outer surface thereof.

In further embodiments, the supporting recess 309 may have a substantially conical shape. In such cases, the supporting protrusion 48 may also have a substantially conical shape corresponding to and matching with the conical supporting recess 308.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In the following, mounting of a cutting bit 200 to an associated cutting bit carrier 100 is described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, and FIGS. 6 to 10.

First, the cutting bit 200 is positioned at the first carrier member 110, such that the cutting bit shank 204 is in contact with the first supporting portion 114. Then, the second carrier member 120 is moved along the arrows 102, namely at first in a direction perpendicular to the cutting bit axis 201 and then, after the second protrusions 128 have passed the first protrusions 118, the second carrier member 120 is moved along the cutting bit axis 201 until the second inclined lateral surfaces 129 get in contact with the first inclined lateral surfaces 119. In this state, the first carrier member 110 and the second carrier member 120 are mounted to one another, but the second carrier member 120 is still at least partially movable relative to the first carrier member 110, namely in an axial direction towards the cutting bit head 202.

During operation of the cutting head 10, the cutting bits 200 engage and extract hard rock material wherein axial forces 210 are applied on the cutting bits 200. Said axial forces 210 affect a self-retention of the first carrier member 110 and the second carrier member 120 to one another. Particularly, said axial forces 210 push the second inclined lateral surfaces 129 against the first inclined lateral surfaces 119 thereby strengthening the self-retention and, thus, the assembly of the first carrier member 110 and the second carrier member 120.

When replacing worn cutting bits 200, the second carrier member 120 is detached from the first carrier member 110 in a reversed direction along the arrows 102 as described above (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

With respect to FIG. 11, for replacing worn cutting bits 200, at first the overlying tool supports 40 need to be detached from the base member 20. Then, the worn cutting bits 200 may be replaced by new cutting bits 200 and, subsequently, the above lying tool supports 40 are mounted to the base member 20 again.

In the following, mounting of a cutting bit 200 to an associated tool support 41, 42 is described with reference to FIG. 12.

At first, the tool support 41 is disassembled from the base member 20. Then, cutting bits 200 are positioned at each of the supporting protrusions 94 provided at an subjacent tool support 42, such that the end faces of the cutting bit flanges 206 are in contact with the supporting surfaces 96, respectively.

Subsequently, the overlying tool support 41 is re-mounted to the base member 20, such that the cutting bit shanks 204 are supported by the supporting holes 92 and that the cutting bit heads 202 protrude out of the supporting holes 92, respectively.

In the following, mounting of a cutting bit 200 to an associated tool support 40, 41, 42 is described with reference to FIG. 13.

When any one of the cutting bits 200 is worn, only the associated supporting bushing 91 is disassembled from the respective mounting hole 93, i.e. the overlying tool support 41 does not need to be disassembled. Then, the worn cutting bit 200 is removed and replaced by a new cutting bit 200, such that the end face of the cutting bit flange 206 is in contact with the associated supporting surface 96. In a final step, the supporting bushing 91 is slipped over the cutting bit shank 204 and re-mounted to the mounting hole 93.

In an alternative assembly method, the cutting bit 200 is mounted to the supporting bushing 91 first and, subsequently, said assembly is mounted to the mounting hole 93.

In the following, mounting of a cutting bit 300 to an associated cutting head 10 is described with reference to FIG. 14.

At first, the snap ring 310 is positioned in the second groove 314 circumferentially extending about the supporting protrusion 48 provided at, for example, one of the tool supports 40. Then, the supporting recess 308 of the main body 302 of the cutting bit 300 is put onto or slipped over the associated supporting protrusion 48, and the snap ring 310 is elastically deformed, such that its diameter temporarily reduces. In such state, the snap ring 310 is mainly position within the second groove 314 and has an outer diameter allowing the cutting bit to be axially moved beyond the snap ring 310.

Subsequently, the main body 302 of the cutting bit 300 is moved along the cutting bit axis 301 until the snap ring 310 can radially deform to its initial state and at least partially engages the first groove 312 provided in the supporting recess 308. Therefore, the radial thickness of the snap ring 310 is equal to or at least partially smaller than the depth of the second groove 314. In this assembling stage, the cutting bit 300 is mounted to the supporting protrusion 48 in a rotatable manner, but the cutting bit 300 is prevented from axially moving relatively to the supporting protrusion 48.

In order to ensure proper assembly of the cutting bit 300 and the supporting protrusion 48, the first groove 312 may be provided with inclinations that urge the snap ring 310 into the second groove 314 while slipping the cutting bit 300 onto the supporting protrusion 48.

In some embodiments, assembling of the cutting bit 300 and the supporting protrusion 48 may be done by first mounting the snap ring 310 into the first groove 312 and, then, mounting the cutting bit 300 with the engaged snap ring 310 onto the supporting protrusion 48.

The supporting protrusion 48 shown in FIG. 14 is formed, for example, at an annular tool support 40. However, in further embodiments, the supporting protrusion 48 may be formed at any cutting head 10 configured to employ cutting bits 300 for extracting hard rock material. For example, with respect to a non-modular cutting head 10 not including a plurality of annular tool supports 40, the supporting protrusions 48 may be formed directly at the base member of the cutting head.

FURTHER ASPECTS

In the following, further aspects of the present disclosure are described. Those aspects include features already described herein in connection with the above description and FIGS. 1 to 14.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a tool support configured to be mounted to a cutting head used in hard rock mining applications may comprise an annular body extending about a rotational axis and having a first axial end face and a second axial end face opposite the first axial end face. The tool support according to the second aspect may further comprise a plurality of supporting holes disposed spaced apart one another about the rotational axis and extending along a supporting hole axis from the first axial end face to the second axial end face. Each of the plurality of supporting holes may be configured to support a cutting bit shank of a cutting bit.

The second aspect of the present disclosure may be based at least in part on the realization that providing annular tool supports mountable to a modular cutting head and provided with through holes for supporting cutting bits may render separate cutting bit carriers unnecessary. In particular, the annular tool supports according to the second aspect may incorporate the functions of the cutting bit carriers in the form of through holes and support sections directly formed at and integrally with the annular tool support.

The second aspect of the present disclosure may be further based at least in part on the realization that replacing of worn cutting bits and cleaning of the cutting bits may be facilitated. Further, manufacturing of the cutting bits may be facilitated and, hence, the manufacturing costs of the cutting bits may be reduced.

In some embodiments, the tool support may further comprise a plurality of supporting recesses provided at the second axial end face and extending substantially along the supporting hole axis. Each of the plurality of supporting recesses may be configured to at least partially support and accommodate an associated cutting bit end flange of the cutting bit.

In some embodiments, the tool support may further comprise a plurality of supporting protrusions protruding from the first axial end face. The plurality of supporting protrusions may be configured to at least partially support an end face of an associated cutting bit end flange of a cutting bit supported by an overlying annular tool support. Preferably, the supporting protrusions may each be configured to extend along the cutting bit axis.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of supporting protrusions may include a supporting surface configured to contact the end face of the cutting bit end flange of the cutting bit supported by the overlying annular tool support.

In preferred embodiments, the supporting surface is substantially planar.

In further preferred embodiments, the planar supporting surface may be substantially perpendicular with respect to the cutting bit axis of the cutting bit supported by the overlying annular tool support.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of supporting protrusions may be disposed on a first circle about the rotational axis. The first circle may have a first radius.

In some embodiments, the plurality of supporting holes may be disposed on a second circle about the rotational axis. The second circle may have a second radius.

In a preferred embodiment, the first radius may be smaller than the second radius.

According to a further second aspect of the present disclosure, a method for mounting a cutting bit to a modular cutting head used in hard rock mining applications is disclosed. The cutting bit may include a cutting bit head, a cutting bit shank connected to the cutting bit head, and a cutting bit end flange connected to the cutting bit shank. The method according to the further second aspect may comprise positioning the cutting bit at a cutting bit supporting protrusion provided at a first annular tool support, and placing a second annular tool support above the first annular tool support, such that, during placing the second annular tool support above the first annular tool support, the cutting bit head completely passes through a supporting hole formed in the second annular tool support and that the supporting hole supports the cutting bit shank.

In some embodiments, the method may comprise mounting a supporting bushing to the annular tool support, wherein the supporting bushing provided with the supporting hole is configured to at least partially support the associated cutting bit.

YET FURTHER ASPECTS

In the following, yet further aspects of the present disclosure are described. Those aspects include features already described herein in connection with the above description and FIGS. 1 to 14.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a cutting bit replaceable mountable to a cutting head used in hard rock mining applications may comprise a main body having a cutting bit axis and including a base portion and a tip end portion opposite to the base portion. The cutting bit may further comprise a supporting recess formed in an end face of the base portion and extending at least partially along the cutting bit axis. The supporting recess may be configured to be slipped at least partially over a supporting protrusion formed at the cutting head.

The present disclosure may be further based on the realization that providing a cutting bit having a mounting recess and mountable to a cutting head by at least partially inserting a mounting protrusion formed at the cutting head into the mounting recess may facilitate replacement of worn cutting bits.

The third aspect of the present disclosure may be further based at least in part on the realization that manufacturing of the cylindrical supporting protrusions may be facilitated and cleaning of the cutting bit may be simplified. Further, the volume of the cutting bit may be reduced which may lead to less manufacturing costs.

In some embodiments, the supporting recess may be a substantially cylindrical recess configured to be at least partially accommodate the corresponding cylindrical supporting protrusion provided at the cutting head.

Alternatively, the supporting recess may be a substantially conical recess configured to at least partially accommodate the corresponding conical supporting protrusion proved at the cutting head.

In some embodiments, the cutting bit may further comprise a supporting recess groove formed in an inner wall of the supporting recess and circumferentially extending about the cutting bit axis. The supporting recess groove may be configured to at least partially receive a snap ring for mounting the cutting bit to the cutting head.

In some embodiments, the main body includes a cone-like intermediate portion interconnected between the base portion and the tip end portion.

In some embodiments, the cutting bit may further comprise a cutting tip mounting recess formed in an end face of the tip end portion and extending at least partially along the cutting bit axis. The cutting tip mounting recess may be configured to at least partially accommodate a cutting bit tip made of hardened material.

In preferred embodiments, the cutting tip mounting recess may be configured to accommodate the cutting bit tip in a pressure fit manner

According to a further third aspect of the present disclosure, a cutting head used in hard rock mining applications may comprise a base member, and a plurality of supporting protrusions each configured to rotatably support a cutting bit by at least partially slipping the cutting bit over an associated support protrusion.

In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of supporting protrusions may have a cylindrical shape with a substantially circular cross-section.

Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the plurality of supporting protrusions may have a conical shape with substantially circular cross-sections with diameters gradually varying in an axial direction.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of supporting protrusions may comprise a supporting protrusion groove circumferentially extending about a lateral surface thereof. The supporting protrusion groove being configured to at least partially receive a snap ring for mounting the cutting bit to the supporting protrusion.

In some embodiments, the cutting head may be a modular cutting head comprising a plurality of superimposed annular tool supports. Each of the annular tool supports include the plurality of supporting protrusions for rotatably supporting a cutting bit according to the third aspect of the present disclosure.

According to yet another third aspect of the present disclosure, a method for mounting a cutting bit to a cutting bit carrier provided at a cutting head used in hard rock mining applications is disclosed. The cutting bit may include a main body having a cutting bit axis and including a base portion and a tip end portion opposite to the base portion. The cutting bit may further comprise a supporting recess formed in an end face of the base portion and extending at least partially along the cutting bit axis. The method may comprise slipping the main body at least partially over an associated supporting protrusion provided at the cutting head and axially securing the main body to the cutting head.

In some embodiments, the step of axially securing the main body to the cutting head may include positioning a snap ring between the main body and the supporting protrusion. The snap ring may be configured to allow rotational movement of the main body relative to the supporting protrusion and to disallow axial movement of the main body relative to the supporting protrusion.

It should be noted that each recited aspect of the present disclosure and embodiments thereof may be combined with other aspects and embodiments thereof. As one skilled in the art will further appreciate, each individual aspect and embodiment recited herein may also be combined with any feature described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 14 where applicable.

Although the preferred embodiments of this invention have been described herein, improvements and modifications may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the following claims. 

1. A cutting bit carrier for hard rock mining applications, comprising: a first carrier member including a first supporting portion configured to contact a cutting bit shank of a cutting bit for supporting the cutting bit; and a second carrier member including a second supporting portion configured to contact the cutting bit shank of the cutting bit for supporting the cutting bit, the second carrier member being detachably mountable to the first carrier member.
 2. The cutting bit carrier of claim 1, wherein an interface between the first carrier member and the second carrier member is configured to be substantially parallel to a cutting bit axis of the cutting bit.
 3. The cutting bit carrier of claim 1, wherein the first carrier member includes a reception portion configured to at least partially receive the second carrier member; and the second carrier member includes a mounting portion configured to, in an assembled state of the cutting bit carrier, at least partially engage with the reception portion.
 4. The cutting bit carrier of claim 3, wherein the reception portion includes at least one first protrusion protruding in a first direction configured to be perpendicular with respect to a cutting bit axis, and the mounting portion includes at feast one second protrusion protruding in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the at least one first protrusion being configured to, in the assembled state of the eating bit carrier, to at least partially engage with the at least one second protrusion
 5. The cutting bit carrier of claim 4, wherein the at least one first protrusion includes a first inclined lateral surface; and the at least one second protrusion includes a second inclined lateral surface) being substantially parallel to the first inclined lateral surface, the first inclined lateral surface and the second inclined lateral surface at least partially contacting one another in an assembled state of the cutting bit carrier.
 6. The cutting bit carrier of claim 1, further comprising a locking element detachably mountable to the first carrier member and the second carrier member, locking element being configured to, in an assembled state, prevent the first carrier member and the second carrier member from detaching from one another.
 7. The cutting bit carrier of claim 6, wherein the first carrier member includes at least one first through hole extending substantially perpendicular with respect to a cutting bit axis; the second carrier member includes at least one second through hole extending substantially perpendicular with respect to the cutting bit axis; and the locking element is a substantially C-shaped element having, a first elongated portion configured to extend into the at least one first through hole and a second elongated portion configured to extend into the at least one second through hole.
 8. A tool support configured to be mounted to a cutting head used in hard rock mining applications, the tool support comprising: an annular body; a plurality of cutting bit carriers according to any one of the preceding claims, at least one of the first carrier member and the second carrier member being integrally formed with the annular body; and a plurality of cutting bits rotatably supported by an associated one of the plurality of cutting bit carriers.
 9. A cutting head used in hard rock mining applications, comprising: a base member having a rotational axis and including a plurality of tool support receiving portions extending around the rotational axis; and a plurality of tool supports according to claim 8, each of the plurality of tool supports being concentrically disposed about the rotational axis at an associated tool support receiving portion in, a releasable manner, wherein the first carrier member is integrally formed with one of the plurality of tool supports, and wherein the second carrier member is integrally formed with an adjacent tool support.
 10. A method for mounting a cutting bit to a cutting bit carrier provided at a cutting head used in hard rock mining applications, the cutting bit including a cutting bit axis extending from a cutting bit head to a cutting bit end flange via a cutting bit shank, the method comprising: disposing the cutting bit shank at a first supporting portion provided at a first carrier member -along a direction extending substantially perpendicular with respect to the cutting bit axis, the first supporting portion being configured to at least partially contact the cutting bit shank for at least partially supporting the same; and detachably mounting a second carrier member to the first carrier member, the second carrier member including a second supporting portion configured to at least partially contact the cutting bit shank for at least partially supporting the same.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein mounting the second carrier member to the first carrier member includes at least partially moving, the second carrier member relatively to the first carrier member along the cutting bit axis for bringing at least one first protrusion provided at the first carrier member into engagement with at least one second protrusion provided at'the second carrier member.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the first carrier member includes at least one first through, hole extending substantially perpendicular with respect to the cutting bit axis, and the second carrier member includes at least one second through hole extending substantially perpendicular with respect to the cutting bit axis, the method further comprising: mounting a locking element to the first carrier member and the second carrier member for preventing the first carrier member and the second carrier member from detaching from one another, the locking element including a first elongated portion configured to extend into the at least one first through hole and a second elongated portion configured to extend into the at least one second through hole.
 13. The method of claim 10, further comprising: integrally forming at least one of the first carrier member and the second carrier member with an annular tool support detachably mountable to a base member of the cutting head.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: integrally forming the other one of the first carrier member and the second carrier member with an adjacent annular tool support mountable to the base member.
 15. A cutting bit configured to be replaceable mounted to a cutting bit carrier provided at a cutting head used in hard rock mining applications, the cutting bit comprising: a cone-like cutting bit head having a tip portion and a head base portion opposite to the tip portion, the cutting bit head being configured to extract hard rock mining material; a substantially cylindrical cutting bit shank having a first end portion connected to the head base portion and a second end portion, the cutting bit shank having a first diameter; and a substantially cylindrical cutting bit end flange connected to the second end portion of the cutting bit shank and having a second diameter substantially greater than the first diameter, wherein the second diameter is in a range from about 120% to about 200% of the first diameter, and/or wherein the head base portion has a third diameter greater than the first diameter, the third diameter being preferably in a range from about 120 to about 200% of the first diameter. 